Want to listen to this post instead of reading? Play the audio recording below.
Mark 5:21-24 (ESV)
21 And when Jesus had crossed again in the boat to the other side, a great crowd gathered about him, and he was beside the sea.
22 Then came one of the rulers of the synagogue, Jairus by name, and seeing him, he fell at his feet
23 and implored him earnestly, saying, “My little daughter is at the point of death. Come and lay your hands on her, so that she may be made well and live.”
24 And he went with him. And a great crowd followed him and thronged about him.
As Jesus was going to Jairus’ home, no doubt Jairus’ hope for his daughter’s healing was high. But then Jairus faced a setback. A delay. In the crowd was a woman who also had an urgent need for Jesus. As Mark 5:27-29 (ESV) tells us: She had heard the reports about Jesus and came up behind him in the crowd and touched his garment. For she said, “If I touch even his garments, I will be made well.” And immediately the flow of blood dried up, and she felt in her body that she was healed of her disease.
Jesus’ reaction is found in Mark 5:30. The verse states: And Jesus, perceiving in himself that power had gone out from him, immediately turned about in the crowd and said, “Who touched my garments?” (ESV).
As if the unexpected delay caused by the woman with the issue of blood was not enough to shake Jairus’ hope that his daughter would be made well, Jairus gets bad news. He gets word that his daughter is dead. What is Jairus to do now? Thankfully, Jairus had not sought help from an ordinary man. As Mark 5:36 (ESV) states: But overhearing what they said, Jesus said to the ruler of the synagogue, “Do not fear, only believe.”
Having faith and trust in God must be the hallmark of every believer’s spiritual walk. We must believe in God.
Hebrews 12:2 (ESV) states: looking to Jesus, the founder and perfecter of our faith, who for the joy that was set before him endured the cross, despising the shame, and is seated at the right hand of the throne of God.
Jesus walked a walk of perfect faith. As believers, we must follow Jesus’ example and also walk in faith.
A key to having faith through challenges is to not wait for a challenge to come before we start praying. In 1 Thessalonians 5:17 (ESV) we are instructed to “pray without ceasing.” This means that we are to be in a constant communication with God. Where we are always looking to God to know His Will and how to carry it out. Where we are seeking God for His wisdom, His guidance, maybe healing, or His strength. Where we are going to God to intercede on behalf of others. And so on.
There are many benefits of praying without ceasing. For example, the constant communication with God builds our relationship with God. We come to know God better. We grow our faith and trust in God. Because of the constant communication with God, when challenges come, we can stand firm believing for God’s deliverance.
When we face challenges, even when it looks like all hope is lost, we must continue to trust God. We must continue to have faith in God. We must continue to believe in God.
Hebrews 11:6 (ESV) states: And without faith it is impossible to please him, for whoever would draw near to God must believe that he exists and that he rewards those who seek him.
Except where indicated, scripture references are from the American Standard Version (ASV), Darby Translation (DARBY), or King James Version (KJV) – all public domains.
